2008 Ford Fusion Safety Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 52 Fusion reviews and test drives.
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
For the most part, the Fusion equipped with a competitive list of standard safety features, and this year it adds anti-lock brakes as standard equipment for all its trims. The 2008 Fusion does very well in government and insurance industry crash tests.
In government crash tests, the 2008 Fusion earned five out of five stars in frontal offset crashes. The Fusion also earned five out of five stars for front seat occupant protection in side crashes, and four stars for the backseat occupants' protection. The sedan has a four-star rollover rating with front-wheel drive, and a five-star rollover rating when featuring all-wheel drive. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awards Fusions manufactured after January 2007 a rating of "Good" -- the highest -- for frontal-offset and side crashes, while Fusions made before Jan. 2007 receive a rating of "Acceptable."
Accident Avoidance
Although the 2008 Fusion now features anti-lock brakes as standard equipment for all its trims, Reviewers still ding the sedan for not offering a stability control system. Cars.com says, "The lack of an electronic stability system in the Fusion is a glaring omission, as the feature is being incorporated into other cars across the market, including competing models - and more affordable ones to boot." Traction control is standard only on all-wheel drive models. New Car Test Drive finds that the all-wheel drive option makes it "safer and easier to drive in the rain. And we're sure it'll perform much better in the snow than the other models, which use front-wheel drive. If you live in an area that gets adverse weather, the AWD model is a smart choice."
Crash Protection
The Fusion comes standard with front air bags, front seat-mounted side, and side-curtain air bags. A Personal Safety System deploys front air bags in two stages and adjusts safety-belt tensions.
